Jade Parkinson-Hill founded Steam School to help schools connect with inspirational role models in the STEM sector and is now a finalist in the Cool Initiatives Education Challenge 2019

Liverpool entrepreneur Jade Parkinson-Hill is a finalist in contest to find the best education innovators in the UK and is in with a chance of winning up to £10,000.

Jade founded Steam School in 2018 as a pilot programme to help schools connect with inspirational role models in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) sector.

Steam School’s broadcasts showcase inspirational guests from across the globe, including Japanese tech sport companies, Silicon Valley start-ups, eco-celebrities and aspiring astronauts.

Her work has impressed the judges in the Cool Initiatives Education Challenge 2019, launched by education and ‘edtec’ early-stage investor, Cool Initiatives. It is offering a prize pot totalling £17,500 to teachers, school staff or early stage start-ups who offer an innovative edtech ideas to change the face of education.

Its “no-strings” prizes include £10,000 to the winner, £5,000 to the runner-up, £500 to each of the four finalists and £500 to the winner of The People’s Choice category. The winners will be announced this Friday, May 24.

Jade said: “I’m passionate about using the power of technology to connect young people to inspirational global role models in science and technology.

“We want to inspire students to develop a new appreciation about how rapid technology transformation is changing the world in which we live and their future role in shaping that change as scientists, engineers and tech entrepreneurs. With the help of Cool Initiatives, my dream can become a reality.”

Philanthropist and founder of Cool Initiatives, Jon Thornes, added: “Having been involved in the education sector for many years, I know first-hand the transformative potential of edtech in schools.

“Steam School is a fantastic example of the inspiring work leading a step change in STEM/STEAM education. It’s an honour to be able to support, develop and invest in such ideas and start-ups.”